Angelfish

[karawr]

Hi all,

My boyfriend came home with an angelfish though I have advised against it lol. Now we have to get the stocking/tanks sorted out!! Oh well, maybe I'll get a new tank out of it.

Anyways I am completely ignorant about this fish. I do know, however, they will grow quite big and will need a tall tank, and that they eat smaller fish.

What size tank do I need once full grown? What temp do you suggest for angels and what are good tankmates? My pH looks to be 7.4 and I don't really want to mess with it. Do I need to for angels?

I only have one, would it be better to get two? (I am NOT interested in breeding...). If I should get 2, what is the minimum tank size needed?

Thanks so much.

 

[KittyKat]

I recommend that they are kept in tanks which are at least 4*2*2 ft in size, and preferably in groups of 6+ because I have found them to be social fish. If you do not want to keep a larger group, then on its own is probably best. If you plan to introduce more angels, sooner rather than later would be best. Ideally, I would have a 6*2*2 ft tank, but that's not realistic for most people.

If I had to compromise on the tank size, I would reduce the front to back distance, but height should always be at least 2 ft.

Standard tropical temperatures are fine, and if you don't want to breed, don't mess with pH, but I would add some bogwood if it was my tank. Dithers make good tank mates, but adult angels will sometimes eat neon sized tetras, so any tall bodied tetra should be fine. Corys, plecos, hatchets, loaches, etc, are also all good. I would probably aim for a South American themed tank with slight blackwater and plants.

 

[karawr]

I just always feel bad for one lone fish. I definitely don't want a group as I wouldn't be allowed another 4ft (nevermind 6) tank as I already have two. Maybe I can squeeze in a long but skinny (and tall!!!) tank.

So you wouldn't suggest buying a second? I guess that really is best, especially considering I don't want another "big" tank...

And I do already have bogwood in my tank.

Thanks for your reply.

 

[Ian H]

I've just bought 2 and tbh i have no idea why considering i've just bought 20 neons! I think im being a bit naive but im hoping my tetras will plump up so much they wont fit in the angels mouth

 

[KittyKat]

I just always feel bad for one lone fish. I definitely don't want a group as I wouldn't be allowed another 4ft (nevermind 6) tank as I already have two. Maybe I can squeeze in a long but skinny (and tall!!!) tank.

So you wouldn't suggest buying a second? I guess that really is best, especially considering I don't want another "big" tank...

If you have two, one will very often will abuse another one, unless you have a proven breeding pair.

So where are you planning to put it into now? one of the existing 4 fters? If so, is there a reason why 5 more can't go in there? As I mentioned, I found them to be very social creatures, which appreciated company of their own kind.

 

[karawr]

I just always feel bad for one lone fish. I definitely don't want a group as I wouldn't be allowed another 4ft (nevermind 6) tank as I already have two. Maybe I can squeeze in a long but skinny (and tall!!!) tank.

So you wouldn't suggest buying a second? I guess that really is best, especially considering I don't want another "big" tank...

If you have two, one will very often will abuse another one, unless you have a proven breeding pair.

So where are you planning to put it into now? one of the existing 4 fters? If so, is there a reason why 5 more can't go in there? As I mentioned, I found them to be very social creatures, which appreciated company of their own kind.

Well one is a 90g with a turtle so completely out of the question.

The other is a 75g with currently 5 congos, 9 pristella (bumping it up to 15 once lfs gets more), 5 kuhlis and BN plec. I was hoping to put my corydoras habrosus in there. I guess I just wanted to do something else with it.

I guess with angels it's 1 or all? I suppose a group of 3 wouldn't work? Since if two paired... then the one would get bullied.

 

[karawr]

I've just bought 2 and tbh i have no idea why considering i've just bought 20 neons! I think im being a bit naive but im hoping my tetras will plump up so much they wont fit in the angels mouth

I am the same way, unfortunately. Well I have read of some cases where the neons get to live another day as the angels don't seem to pay them any attention. Maybe you'll be one of the lucky ones.

 

[KittyKat]

The other is a 75g with currently 5 congos, 9 pristella (bumping it up to 15 once lfs gets more), 5 kuhlis and BN plec. I was hoping to put my corydoras habrosus in there. I guess I just wanted to do something else with it.

That one sounds, on the surface, as if it might work.. and if it's a 4 ft, it should take the angels ok...

I guess with angels it's 1 or all? I suppose a group of 3 wouldn't work? Since if two paired... then the one would get bullied.

That's right.. of if they don't pair up, then the most dominant can still bully the other two quite alot.

 

[karawr]

The other is a 75g with currently 5 congos, 9 pristella (bumping it up to 15 once lfs gets more), 5 kuhlis and BN plec. I was hoping to put my corydoras habrosus in there. I guess I just wanted to do something else with it.

That one sounds, on the surface, as if it might work.. and if it's a 4 ft, it should take the angels ok...

I guess with angels it's 1 or all? I suppose a group of 3 wouldn't work? Since if two paired... then the one would get bullied.

That's right.. of if they don't pair up, then the most dominant can still bully the other two quite alot.

Okay. I guess we will stick with one then... or think really hard about what's going to happen in the future when considering getting a group!

Thanks for the informative posts.

 

[KkAaNnEe]

I have one, but am considering getting a few more, maybe up to 4, to have a nicer group. I have found its always gonna be king of the tank and is dominant. I mean if you get a pair then its really unlucky but you could just take problem fish back to the shop. You can remove the current one if you get more, change the decor about a bit and then re introduce the current angel back into the tank.

 

[karawr]

My lfs doesn't even offer store credit for returned fish. Wasted money.

Can I put black phantom tetras in with the little guy for now? Totally a temporary thing... I need my 20g right now (without them in it) and don't really know what to do with them. I figured since the angel is small, and thus has less flowly fins, the bpt won't nip... am I wrong?

 

[KittyKat]

My lfs doesn't even offer store credit for returned fish. Wasted money.

Then it is your other half who wasted if by buying a fish you didn't have space for.

Can I put black phantom tetras in with the little guy for now? Totally a temporary thing... I need my 20g right now (without them in it) and don't really know what to do with them. I figured since the angel is small, and thus has less flowly fins, the bpt won't nip... am I wrong?

Phantom tetras are fine with angels in the long term, in my experience.. unless your school of them is not big enough for them to pay attention to each other.